Repertory Productions of Robert Schenkkan's All The Way and Great Society Among 2014-15 Seattle Rep Season

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14 Apr 2014

Seattle Repertory Theatre announced its 2014–15 season, which will include the first presentation of Seattle writer Robert Schenkkan's two-part Lyndon B. Johnson plays, All The Way (currently playing Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre) and the world premiere of The Great Society, in repertory format.

"Producing All The Way and The Great Society is a colossal undertaking for our theatre: two original plays, 18 actors, and the opportunity for city-wide community engagement. It will be the largest artistic project of our 51 year history," said Seattle Rep artistic director Jerry Manning in a statement. "We look forward to giving our patrons a once-in-a-lifetime theatre-going experience."

The new season will also include three world premieres, a new production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson and a redefined design concept for the Leo K. Theatre season.

The season will run October 2014-May 2015, and subscriptions are available by calling (206) 443-2222 or visiting SeattleRep.org. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 19.

Here's a look at the 2014–15 season at a glance:

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The Vaudevillians Leo K. Theatre Starring Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales Oct. 3–Nov. 2 "Following a sold-out off-Broadway run and an international tour to Australia, Seattle natives Jerick Hoffer (Jinkx Monsoon, 'RuPaul's Drag Race') and Richard Andriessen (Major Scales) bring this bawdy, rowdy musical revue home. The impossible premise? The Vaudevillians, a fictional 1920s duo, were literally frozen in time while touring in Antarctica. Thawing out nearly a century later, they discover their original music has been co-opted throughout the years—and they're not going to stand for it. Wigs will fly as the two perform hits from the likes of Janis Joplin and Gloria Gaynor in the style of Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. It’s a vintage cabaret with a twist of drag."

All The Way Bagley Wright Theatre By Robert Schenkkan Directed by Bill Rauch In partnership with Oregon Shakespeare Festival Nov. 14–Jan. 4, 2015 "Accidental president. Brilliant politician. Flawed man. It's 1963 and an assassin's bullet catapults Lyndon Baines Johnson into the presidency. A Shakespearean figure of towering ambition and appetite, the charismatic, conflicted Texan hurls himself into Civil Rights legislation, throwing the country into turmoil. But in faraway Vietnam, a troublesome conflict looms."

The Great Society Bagley Wright Theatre World Premiere and Seattle Rep Commission By Robert Schenkkan Directed by Bill Rauch In partnership with Oregon Shakespeare Festival Dec. 5–Jan. 4, 2015 "The minute you gain power, you start to lose it. In his second term of office, LBJ struggles to fight a war on poverty as the war in Vietnam spins out of control. Besieged by opponents, Johnson marshals all his political wiles to try to pass some of the most important social programs in U.S. history. Commissioned by Seattle Rep, Robert Schenkkan's The Great Society depicts the larger-than-life politician's tragic fall from grace, as his accomplishments—the passage of hundreds of bills to enact reform in civil and voting rights, poverty, and education—are overshadowed by the bitter failure of the Vietnam War."

The Piano Lesson Bagley Wright Theatre By August Wilson Directed by Timothy Bond Presented in association with Syracuse Stage Jan. 16–Feb. 8, 2015 "From director Timothy Bond and the creative team that brought you Fences (2010) comes August Wilson's second Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Berniece Charles is planning to bestow her family’s antique piano to her daughter, but her brother Boy Willie has other ideas. He wants to sell the heirloom for cash to buy the land their family once worked as slaves. In this intimate story, brother and sister struggle over how to claim their family's legacy and when to free themselves of the past. Set in Depression-era Pittsburgh, The Piano Lesson is a perfect introduction to the late playwright's Century Cycle, as well as a touching tale of family, history and survival."

Dear Elizabeth Leo K. Theatre By Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell Arranged by Sarah Ruhl Directed by Allison Narver Feb. 6–Mar. 8, 2015 "Sarah Ruhl, one of the most celebrated playwrights of her generation, paints a portrait of the remarkable 30-year friendship between two of the most honored American poets of the 20th century: Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. Using their actual letters with postmarks from across the country and around the world, Ruhl illustrates a relationship full of artistic admiration and warm camaraderie. Directed by Allison Narver (The Hound of the Baskervilles, Three Tall Women), this artfully woven story captures the beauty and power of language as two poets navigate the terrain of an ever-shifting world."

The Comparables Bagley Wright Theatre World Premiere and Seattle Rep Commission By Laura Schellhardt Directed by Braden Abraham Mar. 6–29, 2015 "The master storytellers behind 2011's hit The K of D, an urban legend return with this world premiere play about women behaving badly. In this pitch black comedy commissioned by Seattle Rep, Bette, Monica and Iris are high-end real estate agents whose sales pitches are as hard and polished as their nails. When Bette’s reputation takes a hit, they are faced with a choice—band together to save the agency or fend for themselves. Playwright Schellhardt has crafted a neo-feminist satire that begs the question: is there more than one way for women to do business?"

Lizard Boy Leo K. Theatre World Premiere and Seattle Rep Commission Written, composed and performed by Justin Huertas Mar. 27–Apr. 26, 2015 "From the ashes of Mount St. Helens emerged a monster with mysterious powers—powers that changed one boy’s life forever. Superhero or freak? Not even he was sure until one fated night of adventure, music and love on the streets of Seattle. Triple-threat Seattle artist Justin Huertas brings his breakout hit of the 2013 New Play Festival to the mainstage in this world premiere production. Equal parts comic book lore, coming-of-age love story and irrepressible tunes, audiences can expect the unexpected in this original rock musical. Ka-Pow!!"

Outside Mullingar Bagley Wright Theatre By John Patrick Shanley Apr. 24–May 17, 2015 "Hot off Broadway! From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a romantic comedy set in rural Ireland. Anthony and Rosemary are 40-somethings who haven't got a clue when it comes to love. These hopeless singletons will need to overcome a bitter land feud, familial rivalries, and their own romantic fears to find happiness. Full of dark humor and poetic prose, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer John Patrick Shanley's tenderhearted portrait reminds us it’s never too late to take a chance on love."

Seattle Repertory Theatre is located at Seattle Center at the corner of Second Ave. and Mercer Street in Seattle, Washington. For more information, visit SeattleRep.org.